The Book on Max Scherzer

Graduated Prospect Info

Now that he's no longer rookie-eligible, The Book is closed on Max Scherzer as a prospect. This page remains as a historical record of his time in our prospect list. Last bio and ranking update: 11/1/2007.

ARZMax Scherzer
Born 7/27/1984
RHP, ARZ

A first round pick by KC in 2006, Scherzer ended up going to Arizona due to signability problems, where he promptly struck out 30 batters in his first three starts. He's a phenom with a plus fastball (some say plus-plus) and a slider so nasty that he rode it all the way to Double-A in his first season after cutting through single-A hitters as though they were little-leaguers.

Scherzer's ERA in single-A ball? An impossible 0.53, with a 15:1 (sic) strikeout to ball ratio. He had a bit of a more human time in double-A, but he outclassed those hitters as well, racking up 76 strikeouts in only 73 innings.

While he has the durability to start and go deep, and he's still working on a changeup and curve to complement his nasty pitches, he may not need them: the combination of his already-effective power stuff and max-effort approach could probably make him an effective MLB closer tomorrow.

Player Updates and Notes

Scherzer should be called up shortly to bolster the damaged Diamondback bullpen. He'll likely stick around for the rest of the year as rosters expand.

8/25/2008 by KDaddy

Mad Max is going back to the bus leagues after giving up five runs in 11 2/3 innings of Major League bullpen work. His performance wasn't awful, but he couldn't deliver on his potential. He'll be back for a second chance later in the year, but the main goal in Arizona right now is to let him develop on his own clock.

6/13/2008 by KDaddy

Looking a lot better than he did last time out, Scherzer gave up only one run in six innings against the hot-hitting Cubs last night, but his team let him down again, leaving him with a no-decision. He's looking like a viable candidate to stick on the MLB roster from here on out, though he may be moved into long relief if the Diamondbacks big horses straighten out. He threw only 90 innings in 2007, so Arizona doesn't want to overuse him this season.

5/11/2008 by KDaddy

In his first MLB start, Scherzer gave up five runs on seven hits over four just four innings against the Phillies. It wasn't the best performance, but he was brutalized by bad defense, so it wasn't as bad as it looks in the record, either. He should get a chance to stay in the rotation for a bit longer.

5/5/2008 by KDaddy

Max Scherzer took some extra time to blow through the Arizona Fall league at the end of 2007, recording a 2.45 ERA, striking out 16 batters in 11 innings and holding hitters to a .150 batting average. Scherzer is way ahead of schedule, and he's forcing the Diamondbacks to consider him for an early promotion in 2008.

12/19/2007 by KDaddy

 

 

BackBack to List